March 12, 2009

Of fathers, sisters, laundry lists and superfluous excuses

After having more than a year pass between posts, here I am. So much has happened that I could hardly fit everything in here so, I'll just touch on some of the more meaningful things.

My dad's cancer came back. This was the 2nd time. The 1st time, it creeped out from one of his tonsils and proceeded to wrap itself around his vocal chords. Tough for a guy who's a singer (not to mention, as a guitar player, the severe arthritis he has in his hands). After intense radiation on his throat, he went into remission and was cancer free for 5 years. Then it came back in his other tonsil but, they were able to get all of that out. Whew.

In May, my grandfather, a retired Canon and historian of the Episcopal church passed away. He was also our family historian. I am now left to the task of continuing that tradition, and have begun to research our genealogy where he left off. I am discovering that ancestry.com, although pricey, is a great resource.

Palin. Blech. Shudder.

I got laid off from two jobs in 6 weeks. One I had for more than two years. FU Bush. I kind of feel like he's sitting around now, singing the Bartender song (Rehab) about all of us right now. "she"= America; "her f 'cking car"= our future.

I campaigned for the first time this election. My nine year old, my husband and I stood on a major street corner in our hometown with a group of people I could only call "Obamasized" (racially, ethnically, socially, financially diverse) and waved at cars, held up signs and shouted his name. On three other corners, stood the McCain/Palin supporters. It was amazing how alike they all looked - over 45 and white, white, white as far as the eye could see. It was nearly blinding. That said it all to us...and to most of America. Thank you for that. I finally believe that the American dream is a real possibility for everyone in this country.

My step-brother almost made the Olympics but, personally I think he f'd it up for himself when he lied his ass off in a NY Times article to give himself a "better back story". Karma is a total bitch, and I guess "Christian" doesn't always mean honest.

My other step-brother joined the Navy, and then got married to some girl he had known for two months. Yikes.

The holidays were awesome.

Two weeks after the new year, my dad had a major stroke. He was alone in his house in St. Pete when it happened, and he laid on the floor, unconscious, for three days before my uncle came home and found him (they're roommates). He had pneumonia and a serious blood infection when they got him to the hospital; also he was paralyzed on his right side and unable to speak. I have spent the last two months getting him treatment, dealing with his bills, medical issues, and personal issues. Its amazing how much I didn't know about my dad, but found out when it was suddenly my responsibility to take care of everything for him. I'm not sure I wanted to know everything I found out but, it is what it is.

One good thing that came from all of this with my dad is that I was finally able to track down my 16 yr old half sister for the first time ever. Dad had been paying child support (off and on) for her but had never had any desire to have any contact with her. I was grown and off at college when the girl he was dating got pregnant. She wanted to get married, he didn't so, she left. I have always wanted to know about my sister (seeing as I have really been an only child my whole life; even my step brothers didn't come along until I was grown.) Dad would never tell me anything about her. He always acted like he didn't know any info, which I knew was BS but, I try not to judge people for the choices they make. You can't fault a pig for having a shorter neck than a giraffe, and some people are just pigs. Don't get me wrong, I adore my dad but, his choices in life don't always match what I would have done, and sometimes, it bothers me. Anyway, I found her mother's name and city when I was going through his stuff, looking for records I needed. I Googled her and found she had a Facebook page. I contacted her and she was thrilled for her daughter and I to meet. We have been talking over Facebook and via text so far. I am taking it slow with her. But, she is beautiful, and talented, and intelligent, and sweet, and totally open to a sister relationship with me so, I am very excited. I was also able to give her a picture of her dad for the first time in her life. I guess sometimes good things can come from bad situations.

So, that's the big round up for now. I am still busy busy with work (more on that in a bit), but personally, that's the big picture of where I am. I'm tired but, I still have seven things to do today.